Dec. 2, 2024
Battle Ground Public Schools
In this message:
Replacement levy to appear on Feb. 11 ballot
Late-start Wednesday
Aspire referral deadline is this week
Snow routes and weather guide
December school menus
Get help applying for financial aid
BGHS Drama presents ‘Clue: On Stage’
River HomeLink Theatre’s ‘Shrek: The Musical, Jr.’ starts this week
Middle school sports: Girls soccer and boys basketball
Internet safety
District news
In case you missed it
Calendar
Community events
Replacement levy to appear on Feb. 11 ballot
Battle Ground Public Schools’ board of directors has placed a replacement education and operations levy on the special election ballot for Feb. 11, 2025. This local levy makes up approximately 13% of the district’s budget and fills the gap between funding received from the state and the actual cost of educating students. The replacement levy would fund things like student safety, instructional/support staff, class sizes, curriculum adoption, nursing and mental health support, special education, busing, sports, the arts and more. It would provide funding that impacts students in every BGPS school.
Voters approved the expiring education and operations levy in 2021 at an estimated rate of $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The actual rate in the first year was $1.97. The estimated rate for this replacement levy would be $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed value each year. More information about the replacement levy is available on the district website.
One-hour late start on Wednesday, Dec. 4
Wednesday, Dec. 4, is a one-hour late start at most schools to allow time for teachers to work together to implement best practices of high-quality instruction. Students will be released at usual times.
Aspire Highly Capable Program referrals end soon
The Aspire Highly Capable Program is accepting referrals for testing through Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Aspire is our highly capable/gifted education program designed to support students who demonstrate advanced academic abilities or potential. Get the details on the process and timeline.
Snow routes posted and winter weather guide
Snow routes for the 2024-25 school year are now posted on the district website. Please also take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date through Skyward (Family Access). On weather-impacted days, the district will begin communicating with families as early as 5:30 a.m. Download our handy weather guide for more information and a list of which schools are in the north and south parts of the district.
December school menus
Chartwells, the district’s nutrition services provider, has released printable menus for primary and middle schools through December. Menus can also be viewed online via Nutrislice or the BGPS app, and meal expenses can be paid through InTouch Receipting.
Get help with applying for financial aid
High school seniors and families looking for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are invited to attend one of three upcoming in-person events:
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024: Prairie High School, 3-6 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025: Battle Ground High School, 3-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025: Prairie High School, 3-6 p.m. (Interpreters available)
No RSVP is required to attend. At least three days prior to attending one of these events, parents/guardians and students must each set up an account by creating a FSA ID. Federal student aid is money from the federal government that helps you pay for college, career school, trade school or other expenses.
BGHS Drama presents ‘Clue: On Stage’ for fall production
Get caught up in the mystery as Battle Ground High School’s drama department presents ‘Clue: On Stage’ for their fall production. Drama director Stephan “Cash” Henry calls it a “fun, silly, suspenseful piece of theater that is great for all ages.”
Tickets are on sale in advance or at the door for $7 each. Shows will be at The Lair inside Battle Ground High School (300 W. Main Street in Battle Ground), starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5-7 and 12-13, with an additional noon showing on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Click for more information
River HomeLink Theatre presents ‘Shrek the Musical Jr.’
River HomeLink Theatre’s production of Shrek the Musical Jr. is coming to Prairie High School starting Friday, Dec. 6. Under the direction of Sandy Sparks, follow along as Shrek and Donkey set out on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona. Along the way, they meet a dragon, a gingerbread girl, Pinocchio, a not-so-wicked witch, the Three Pigs and a whole bunch more fairy tale creatures. Shrek the Musical Jr. is an adventure the whole family will enjoy. Tickets can be purchased online in advance (https://wa-battleground-lite.intouchreceipting.com/RHLTheater) or at the door. Prices are $5 for children (3-10) and seniors, or $10 for general admission.
Showtimes will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 and 13, with 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. showings on Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14.
Registration opens soon for middle school girls soccer and boys basketball
Registration will be opening soon for middle school students interested in participating in girls soccer or boys basketball. Registration opens three weeks prior to the start of practices (Dec. 9 for girls soccer and Jan. 6 for boys basketball). Students participating in sports must have a completed sports physical before practices begin (physical clearance is valid for 24 months). Sports physicals and the payment of any outstanding fees must be completed prior to the start of practices.
Internet safety
BGPS uses GoGuardian to keep students safe online on their school-issued devices. Parents/guardians can use the GoGuardian Parent app to help monitor activity when their child is using their school-issued device at home outside of school hours. This application has features like web filtering and parental controls such as pausing internet access and setting up online hours. Learn more and find other resources for going online.
DISTRICT NEWS
November 2024 employee recognition awards
November’s employee recognition award winners are:
Glenn Cook, teacher, River HomeLink
Cinda Trigueros, teacher, Captain Strong Primary
Karen Guenther, teacher, Summit View High School
Carmen Yadon, teacher, Tukes Valley Middle School
Irene Michaelson, secretary, Glenwood Heights Primary
Head on over to the district website to learn more about each of this month's recipients.
Pictured from left: Irene Michaelson, Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten, Karen Guenther, Cinda Trigueros, Superintendent Denny Waters and Glen Cook. Not pictured: Carmen Yadon.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
See the library books that your child has checked out
School libraries are important sources of information for young readers. Parents and guardians are welcome to see what's available in their child’s school library and review the books their child has checked out. Find out how. If there are books you do not wish your child to read, please contact the teacher-librarian at your child's school. The teacher librarian will note these restrictions in your child's account.
Report, don’t repost
If you see or hear of a possible threat, please report it to law enforcement directly and/or to school staff. This is the best and most helpful action because it begins an investigation and helps to limit the potential for misinformation to spread.
Reposting or sharing a threat on social media in an attempt to warn others spreads the threat farther from its original source and may cause unnecessary alarm and fear.
You can report bullying, intimidation, harassment, threats and safety concerns using our anonymous reporting system. Emergencies should always be reported to 911.
Safety protocols
Battle Ground Public Schools has joined other Southwest Washington schools and districts in using the Standard Response Protocol for emergencies. Depending on the situation, a school will be placed in a hold, secure, lockdown, evacuation or shelter. See what these terms mean. This common language helps schools, first responders and the community communicate clearly and effectively to reduce misunderstandings in emergency situations.
UPCOMING CALENDAR
Wednesday, Dec. 4: One-hour late start for most schools
Monday, Dec. 9: School board work session at 4 p.m. and regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Lewisville campus and streaming online
Monday, Jan. 6: Levy presentation 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at River HomeLink
Tuesday, Jan. 7: Levy presentation 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tukes Valley Primary School
Wednesday, Jan. 8: Levy presentation 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Prairie High School
View more levy presentation dates.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Battle Ground Community Education - Winter break camps | Martial Arts with Isaiah | Cheerleading with Miss Jeanna | Zumba classes (ages 18 and up)
NOAA Marine Debris art contest: Submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 13
Girls who Code: Every other Wednesday until 3:45 p.m.